Multiple filter



(No Model.)

W. M. FOWLER.

- MULTIPLE FILTER.

N0. 565,972 w v Patented Aug 18, 1896.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM MILES 'FOYVLER, OF STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT.

MULTIPLE FILTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 565,972, dated August18, 1896.

Application filed March 28 1896- 1'0 aZZ whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, WILLIAM MILES Fow- .LER, of Stamford,in the countyof Fairfield and State of Connecticut, have invented a new and -usefulImprovement in Multiple Filters, of

which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in multiple filters, in whichprovision is made for increasing and diminishing the number of filtering-lamin2e and renewing them or changing them at pleasure,withoutmaterially interruptingthe filtering operation.

A practical embodiment of my invention is represented in theaccompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a View in vertical sectionof a column or stack of filter-sections as set up for use. Fig. 2 is -atransverse section in the plane of line 2 2 of Fig. 1, showing thelaterally-movable platewhich carries the filtering material in positionto bring one of its openings in alinement with the interior of thecolumn. Fig. 3 is a similar View showing the movable plate in positionwith another of its openings in alinement with the interior of thecolumn and Figs. at and 5 represent, respectively, a disk of fibrousmaterial and a screen such as may beconveniently used as filteringmaterial in the openings in the movable plates.

The column may consist of one or more tubular sections, circular orother shape in cross-section and having interposed between the bottom ofone and the top of the next succeeding filter-section, ordischarge-funnel below, a laterally-movable plate provided with one ormore openings which may by the movement of the plates be'brought into orout of adjustment with the interior of the column without disturbing therelation of the diifer-. ent filter-sections to one another or to thedischarge-funnel.

In the form in which I have illustrated my invention I have shown acolumn of three filter-sections and a discharge-funnel below the bottomsection.

The body portions of the filter-sections are preferably, though notnecessarily, formed of glass and are denoted by A A A They are shown ascircular in cross-section and their opposite ends are seatedliquid-tight in Serial No. 585,188. (No model.)

A (to. are rovided with an annular sunk shoulder a around the openingtherethrough for seating the ends of the sections, which may beconveniently made liquid-tight by means of gaskets a of rubber or othersuitable material. The opposite sides of said plates, with the exceptionof the top or connection, plate a are providedwith ground faces to forma liquid-tight joint with the opposite faces of the movableplates B B,850. In the present instance- I have shown three movable plates B B Bone between the bottom of the lowermost filter-section and thedischarge-funnel and one between each of the two consecutive sections AAand A A The column is conveniently supported by uprights, twoor three innumber, in the present case two, (denoted by C C,) fixed at their lowerends in a base Dand connected at their upper ends by a cross-head E.

The top and bottom plates of the several sections have avertioally-slidin g engagement with the uprights, and the movableplates'B, B, and B are engaged with one of the uprights only andpermitted to move up and down together with the plates a a, and at thesame time to swing laterally about the upright as a pivot.

The disoharge-funnelF is held at the desired height on the uprights bycollars c c, clamped to the uprights by set-screws 0 c and springs G G,inserted between the cross-head E and the top plate a serve to press theseveral sections endwise to keep the joints tight. The movable plates BB B are, as shown, each provided with two openings 1) 1), preferably ofa diameter about equal to that of the interior of the tubular sectionsAA, 850., spaced apart such a distance as to permit an opening to becomeentirely inclosed between the extended wings of the top and bottomplates or a before opening communication with the interior of the columnwhen being swung into alinement and before opening communication withthe outside air when being swung out of alinement.

' The openings 1) b are conveniently provided with annularretaining-shoulders b at a suitable distance below the upper surfaces toform a support for the filtering material ,which may consist of a diskof felt H or other suitable filtering material supported upon a disk ofgauze h, both fitted to said openings, so as to force the liquid to passthrough them in passing from one filter-section to another.

The cross-head E may be adjusted toward the base D'or supporting-collarsc c to increase the tension of the springs G G to tighten the joints bymeans of nuts I on the screw-threaded ends of the uprights.

WVhen the filter is in use, the filtering material may be renewed,exchanged, or entirely removed from one or more of the exposed openingsin the movable plates and the plate or plates may then be swung intoposition to bring that exposed opening or those exposed openings intoalinement With the column,

bringing at the same time the opening or open-.

ings which were previously in alinement out into exposed position, wheretheir filtering,

material may be renewed, exchanged, or removed. This admits of reducingthe number of laminae of filtering material at pleasure, and of changingthe density of or cleaning the filtering material, While the filter ispractically uninterrupted in its operation.

WVhat I claim is- 1. The combination with a tubular filtersection, of aplate arranged to move laterally of the tubular section and providedwith an opening for the reception of filtering material, the movement ofthe said plate being sufficient to carry the opening therein to and froman exposed position, from and to a position in alinement with theinterior of the filter-section,while maintaining a liquid-tight jointwith the wall of said section, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination with a plurality of superposed filter-sections, of aplurality of interposed movable plates having liquid-tight joints withthe said sections, the said movable plates being each provided with aplurality of openings for the reception of filtering material,substantially as set forth.

3. The filter, comprising a plurality of superposed filter-sections andswinging plates interposed between the ends of consecutive sections, thesaid swinging plates being each provided with a pluralityof openings forthe reception of filtering material, substantially as set forth.

4. The filter, comprising a plurality of superposed filter-sections,swinging plates in terposed between the sections and provided withopenings for the reception of filtering material and springs for holdingthe filtersections in close contact with the interposed plates,substantially as set forth.

WILLIAM MILES FOIVLER.

Witnesses:

FREDK. HAYNES, GEORGE BARREY, Jr.

